DogFoodAdvisor is reader supported See how
All reviews are 100% impartial but if you buy using links on this page, we may earn a referral fee.
Dogs tend to love salmon dog food because of its rich taste, strong aroma, and high nutritional value. Salmon has a natural intense flavor and smell that appeals to dogs.
Compared to some other meats, salmon has a softer, flakier texture that’s easy to chew and digest. Dogs instinctively crave high-protein foods, and salmon provides a rich, meaty source of essential amino acids.
Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, salmon also helps promote a healthy skin and a shiny coat, reduces inflammation (great for dogs with allergies or joint issues) and support cognitive function and brain health. It is also packed with B vitamins, potassium, selenium, and antioxidants, all of which support a strong immune system and overall health.
Many dogs with chicken or beef allergies tolerate salmon well, and as it is easy to digest it a great option for sensitive pups.
If you’re looking for the best salmon dog food for your pet, our list — put together by a team of vets, pet nutritionists and researchers — will help you make a more informed choice. Please see below.
Best Salmon Dog Food February 2025
-
Best Salmon Dog Food for Allergies
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Salmon and Brown Rice
This particular formula uses a small number of ingredients, reducing the likelihood of exposure to common allergens. It derives the bulk of its animal protein from fresh salmon and fish meal, a less common protein compared to chicken or beef, making it a good option if your pup has shown sensitivities to more typical proteins.
Natural Balance uses quality ingredients. It states that all its recipes are research-backed and contain wholesome ingredients.
Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 26.7% protein, 13.3% fat and 52% estimated carbs… which produces a fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%.
Read our review of the full Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Dog Food (Dry) range here
Things we like
- Limited ingredients
- Omega-rich fish protein
- No soy, gluten or artificial flavors
Main Ingredients Salmon, menhaden fish meal, brown rice, brewers rice, oat groats Type Grain-Inclusive Protein Percentage 26.7% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For All Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Great for sensitive tummies and allergies! We found out my dog was allergic to chicken and we decided to switch protein and brand! This was approved by our vet and our pup just loves it!"
We also highly recommend
Jinx Grain-Free Atlantic Salmon, Sweet Potato and Carrot Recipe
Packed with 20 superfoods and 20 million probiotics, this recipe promotes gut and overall wellness. Added taurine boosts heart health, and the formula is free from common allergens like corn, wheat, soy, fillers, and artificial preservatives, offering a clean and gentle option for dogs with delicate digestive systems.
-
Best Dry Salmon Food
Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream
A fully balanced, grain-free recipe containing no artificial colors, flavors or toxic chemical preservatives. It is packed with the right nutrients for the overall vitality of your pup.
Taste of the Wild is a family-owned company based in the U.S. that aims to create high-quality, affordable pet food for everyday pet owners.
Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 27.8% protein, 16.7% fat and 47.6% estimated carbs… and a fat-to-protein ratio of about 60%.
Read our review of the full Taste of the Wild Grain-Free Dog Food (Dry) range here
Things we like
- USDA-approved
- Novel protein
- K9 Strain probiotics
Main Ingredients Salmon, ocean fish meal, sweet potatoes, peas, pea flour Type Grain-Free Protein Percentage 27.8% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Smoke-Flavored Salmon Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is the best food for our dog."
-
Best Salmon and Rice Dog Food
Open Farm GoodBowl Wild-Caught Salmon and Brown Rice
Open Farm GoodBowl Wild-Caught Salmon and Brown Rice is oven-baked in small batches to seal in nutrients. Includes humanely raised meat sources and wholesome grains such as brown rice which is gluten-free and high in fiber. There are no added antibiotics or hormones.
Open Farm recipes are crafted with high-quality and ethically sourced ingredients that can be traced back to the original source.
Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 27.8% protein, 13.3% fat and 50.9% estimated carbs… and a fat-to-protein ratio of about 48%.
Read our review of the full Open Farm GoodBowl (Dry) range here
Things we like
- Human-Grade
- 100% Traceable ingredients
- Non-GMO ingredients
Main Ingredients Salmon, menhaden fish meal, peas, fava beans, milo Type Grain-Inclusive Protein Percentage 27.8% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at openfarm.com"Highly recommend! My Bulloxers love it and have been doing great on this food. Definitely a great quality food I'll be putting in my pups rotational feeding we stick to Open Farm and recommend it to everyone we know even more so far my dogs have really enjoyed the grain inclusive recipes."
-
Best Salmon and Sweet Potato Food
pawTree Grain-Free Real Salmon, Peas & Sweet Potato Recipe
pawTree Grain-Free Real Salmon, Peas & Sweet Potato Recipe uses high-quality, fresh, whole ingredients, with single-source animal protein and wholesome fruits and vegetables.
A brand that takes a holistic approach to pet nutrition. The food contains no fillers or by-products and is rich in named animal proteins and antioxidants, providing the pure, natural nutrition your pets need.
Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 34.1% protein, 17% fat and 40.9% estimated carbs… and a fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%.
Read our review of the full pawTree Grain Free Dry Dog Food range here
Things we like
- USDA certified
- Non GMO ingredients
- No filler or by-products
Main Ingredients Salmon, dried chickpeas, dried peas, turkey meal, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols) Protein Percentage 34.1% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at pawtree.com"My dog is very healthy with a magnificently beautiful coat. I do not want to feed her anything else. "
More Top Picks
To view more top dog foods by category… click the link below that best meets your personal feeding needs.
Final word
The Dog Food Advisor does not accept money, gifts, samples or other incentives in exchange for special consideration in preparing our reviews.
However, we do receive a referral fee from online retailers (like Chewy or Amazon) and from sellers of perishable pet food when readers click over to their websites from ours. This helps cover the cost of operation of our free blog. Thanks for your support.
For more information, please visit our Disclaimer and Disclosure page.
